Compassion holds us open not just to the uncertainties of our own life but that of other people as well, and that can deter us from wanting to feel more of it.
Category: Latest News
Welcome to our archive of news stories relevant to the project of fighting fashionable nonsense. The stories are drawn from the electronic pages of the world’s media. On this page, you’ll find links to those stories that have been featured on Butterflies and Wheels during the current year. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find links to separate archives of stories from previous years.
We’re always pleased to hear about news stories that you think should be featured on Butterflies and Wheels. Just send an email here, if you want to point one out to us.
A note about links
Inevitably links go out of date. We suggest, therefore, that you make hard-copies of the stories that particularly interest you.
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Nirmukta: In memoriam: Ajita Kamal 1978-2011
His contributions towards the cause of reason were manifold: as a prolific and edifying writer, as an insightful interviewer, as an adept podcast host, as an energetic community organizer both on-ground and online, and as a welcoming mentor to many freethinkers young and old taking their first steps towards embracing freethought.
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Canada: confusion over status of gay marriage
Non-Canadian gays can marry in Canada but not divorce if the marriage is valid in Canada but not at home. Maybe. No one seems to know, exactly.
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Americans should protest Helen Ukpabio’s visit
By instructing gullible Nigerian parents to persecute their own children, Ukpabio continues to enrich herself, through her books and remittances from exorcisms.
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Should the NY Times be a “truth vigilante”?
Asks the public editor of the NY Times. Say what?
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Egypt: Nour party demands “morals patrols”
The Egyptian supporters of Wahhabism have wasted no time in demanding the importation of retrograde Saudi customs into Egypt.
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Jessica Ahlquist wins her case
Judge finds school prayer to “our heavenly father” is in fact religious. Stone the crows.
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Jesus, Mo and barmaid resolve to say nothing offensive
A quiet evening at the pub. Very quiet.
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Alex Gabriel provides background on J and M fuss
Includes the full correspondence between the president of UCL’s atheist society and the one Muslim student who complained to them.
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The Freethinker on UCL and Jesus and Mo
The petition is attracting signatures from around the world, including those of Richard Dawkins and Maryam Namazie.
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What are Ron Paul’s liberal fans thinking?
In a Paul administration, we wouldn’t see an end only to wars like the one in Iraq. It would mean an end to any humanitarian intervention at all.
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Defend freedom of expression at UCL
We the undersigned urge the University College London Union to immediately halt their attempts to censor the UCLU Atheist, Secularist & Humanist Society.
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Not where Egyptian feminists hoped women would be
Emboldened by the revolution to claim a new voice in public life, many are finding that they are still dependent on the protection of men.
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Censorship row at UCL
Student union wants UCL Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society to remove an image from Jesus and Mo on its Facebook page, claiming it’s “offensive.”
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The Church of Kopimism
We were founded about 15 months ago and we believe that information is holy and that the act of copying is holy.
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University offers discount on tickets for religious people
Pennsylvania ACLU said that’s a no-no.
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Feminist Jewish prayer from 1471
The siddur was written by the scribe Rabbi Abraham Ben Mordechai Farissol, a well-known Northern Italian rabbi (1451-1525) who was a scholar, cantor, and physician.
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Conflict at the heart of Scientology is exposed
A former member circulated a letter criticizing the management style and financial policies of its current leader, David Miscavige on New Year’s Day.
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Bring me the flaming head of Barbie
We all thought we were holding up the image of the Good Christian Woman, never realizing that culture considers us as unique as an assembly line of Barbies.
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Popehat on legal threats against a science blogger
The blogger’s comment is indisputably protected by the First Amendment and the threat is freakishly frivolous. Popehat is helping the blogger pro bono.